KEANSBURG – A 39-year-old resident was charged with assault after punching a police officer in the chest on Friday night, police said.

At 10:41 p.m., Officer Joseph Lamb was on foot patrol on Main Street when he saw John Lachky stumbling as he walked, according to Deputy Chief Michael Pigott.

Lachky then fell off the curb and into the street. Lamb stopped to see if he was OK and ran a warrant check on Lachky, Pigott said.

Lachky was intoxicated and wanted on warrants out of Long Branch, Ocean Township, and Monmouth County for nonsupport, according to Pigott. He was arrested and taken to headquarters.

Lachky complained of back pain and Keansburg EMS came to treat him in his cell. While being treated, he became loud and abusive toward the EMS workers, Pigott said.

When the workers were leaving the cell after treating Lachky, Lamb began to close the cell door and Lachky punched him in the chest, Pigott said. Lamb then wrestled Lachky to the ground in an attempt to get him in the cell.

Patrolman Bryan King assisted Lamb in subduing Lachky and getting him back into the cell, Pigott said.

During the incident, Lamb injured his right hand and Lachky suffered a cut to his head. Lachky was taken to Bayshore Community Hospital in Holmdel to be treated for his injuries.

Lachky was charged with aggravated assault on a police officer, resisting arrest and he had three bench warrants, Pigott said. Bail was set at $11,500 and he was taken to Monmouth County Jail in Freehold Township.